Comments on: Afghanistan: The Not-So-Obvious Problems http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/09/22/afghanistan-the-not-so-obvious-problems/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Mon, 28 May 2012 15:55:58 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: A Second Hand Conjecture » News Brief, A.D.S.R.M.! Edition http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/09/22/afghanistan-the-not-so-obvious-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1196243 A Second Hand Conjecture » News Brief, A.D.S.R.M.! Edition Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:45:29 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/09/22/afghanistan-the-not-so-obvious-problems/#comment-1196243 [...] latest roundup for Global Voices Online, as well as thoughts on who Russia might be modeling their new foreign [...] [...] latest roundup for Global Voices Online, as well as thoughts on who Russia might be modeling their new foreign [...]

]]> By: Joshua Foust http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/09/22/afghanistan-the-not-so-obvious-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1196036 Joshua Foust Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:37:00 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/09/22/afghanistan-the-not-so-obvious-problems/#comment-1196036 You're absolutely right that opium is a serious problem in the country (I've written a ton about it on my other blog and in a few articles). I don't know that I would consider it a so-called driving problem, however. I tend to see opium cultivation as a symptom--of poor governance, poor economic prospects, lousy security, and corruption--rather than a cause. But you really can argue it either way, so I also don't think you're wrong. You’re absolutely right that opium is a serious problem in the country (I’ve written a ton about it on my other blog and in a few articles). I don’t know that I would consider it a so-called driving problem, however. I tend to see opium cultivation as a symptom–of poor governance, poor economic prospects, lousy security, and corruption–rather than a cause.

But you really can argue it either way, so I also don’t think you’re wrong.

]]> By: Leland Ornelaz http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/09/22/afghanistan-the-not-so-obvious-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1196027 Leland Ornelaz Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:19:17 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/09/22/afghanistan-the-not-so-obvious-problems/#comment-1196027 There is another problem in Afghanistan that is undermining stability; opium. Your article mentions corruption in the Afghan government but opium seems to be fueling the chaos in the region. Poppy cultivation has increased almost 50 percent between 2005 and 2006, according to a UN study. Strangely enough, the Taliban wiped out almost all opium production from 2000 - 2001. But now after coalition bombings and occupation, the opium fields are back and corrupt officials, smugglers, and the Taliban all stand to benefit. Jon Lee Anderson wrote an article for the New Yorker about how the government has implemented its own drug eradication program but have met resistance from the remnants of the Taliban which is slowly rebuilding itself. The Taliban is working with opium traders and farmers, offering protection in exchange for cash. President Hamid Karzai said opium trade is one of the factors for the Taliban’s resurgence in power. I would argue that the opium trade is the biggest not-so-obvious problem, simply because it is not widely mentioned in the media, but the rebirth of the Taliban is reported. The Afghan government is becoming weakened with corruption fueled from the drug trade. The Taliban can enjoy a large income for their organization as well as growing support from Pakistan, whose weakening secular government may tilt the balance in the Taliban’s or even Bin Laden’s favor. There is another problem in Afghanistan that is undermining stability; opium. Your article mentions corruption in the Afghan government but opium seems to be fueling the chaos in the region.
Poppy cultivation has increased almost 50 percent between 2005 and 2006, according to a UN study. Strangely enough, the Taliban wiped out almost all opium production from 2000 – 2001. But now after coalition bombings and occupation, the opium fields are back and corrupt officials, smugglers, and the Taliban all stand to benefit.
Jon Lee Anderson wrote an article for the New Yorker about how the government has implemented its own drug eradication program but have met resistance from the remnants of the Taliban which is slowly rebuilding itself. The Taliban is working with opium traders and farmers, offering protection in exchange for cash. President Hamid Karzai said opium trade is one of the factors for the Taliban’s resurgence in power.
I would argue that the opium trade is the biggest not-so-obvious problem, simply because it is not widely mentioned in the media, but the rebirth of the Taliban is reported.
The Afghan government is becoming weakened with corruption fueled from the drug trade. The Taliban can enjoy a large income for their organization as well as growing support from Pakistan, whose weakening secular government may tilt the balance in the Taliban’s or even Bin Laden’s favor.

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